Luminaire



May 18, 1965 P. B. CLARK EI'AL 5,

LUMINAIRE 4 Filed Jan. 15, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fidwm May 18, 1965 P.B. CLARK ETAL LUM INA IRE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 15, 1963INVENTORS. E. CLflRK United States Patent 3,184,19 LUMENAIRE Philip B.Clark, Hales Corners, and Edward R. Iiablonsln, South Milwaukee, Wis.,assignors to McGraw-Edrson Company, Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation ofDelaware Filed Jan. 15, 1963, Ser. No. 251,665 14 Claims. (Cl. 248234l)This invention relates to mounting means for luminaires and moreparticularly to a luminaire mounting assembly which provides means foraligning the luminaire about its longitudinal and transverse axes.

One type of mercury vapor luminaire has a horizontally extending ovatereflector and is mounted on a horizontal support pipe by means of aslipfitter and clamping assembly. Such clamping assemblies generallyallow adjustment of the luminaire about its longitudinal and transverseaxes so that the desired light pattern may be obtained in the area to beilluminated.

Most prior art luminarie slipfitter clamping assemblies allowedsimultaneous rotation about both adjustment axes wherein clamping aboutboth axes occurred simultaneously. That is, upon loosening the variousmembers atfixing these luminaires to their support members, they werefree to simultaneously tilt forwardly and rotate about theirlongitudinal axes. This made luminaire adjustment difiicult because theinstaller was required to maneuver a level while manually supporting theweight of the luminaire and adjusting it about both of its longitudinalaxes. In addition, after a luminaire was maneuvered to the de siredposition, it was necessary to lock it in place while it was beingmanually held.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a luminaire with anew and improved slipfitter clamping assembly.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a luminaireslipfi'tter clamping assembly which allows independent adiustment aboutits longitudinal and transverse axes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a first slipfitterclamping means which allows adjustment about the luminaires longitudinalaxes and a second slipfitter clamping means which allows adjustmentabout the luminaires longitudinal axis wherein each adjustment isindependent of the other.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a slipfitterassembly having clamping means for releasably engaging a support memberfor rotation about its longitudinal axis wherein the clamping means isreleasably connected to the luminaire for rotation about its transverseaxis.

These and other objects and advantages of the instant invention willbecome more apparent from the detailed description thereof taken in viewof the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a luminaire incorporating theinstant invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the slipfitterclamping assembly according to the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along lines 33 or" FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along lines 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along lines 55 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 shows a modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows a luminaire orlighting fixture 16 which includes a generally ovate housing 11 havingan elongate portion 12 integrally formed at one side for housing asliptitter assembly 13 which permits attachment of the luminaire to ahorizontally extending, elongate support pipe 14.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that Edhtdh "ice anovate reflector (not shown) is disposed within the housing 11 forreflecting light rays in a generally downward direction as viewed inFIG. 1 whereupon they are further modified by a cooperating refractor16. The refractor 16 is mounted on a bottom closure member 18 which issupported at one end beneath the slipfitter 13 by a hinge assembly 19 topermit pivotal movement in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 sothat the underside of the housing 11 may be exposed for relamping andother maintenance purposes. A latch assembly 23 is provided at theopposite side of the closure member 18 so that the latter may be affixedin its closed position as shown in FIG. 1 whereby the refractor 16 isheld in its cooperative position relative to the reflector (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the slipfitter housing 12 is shown tohave a generally inverted U-shaped configuration and opening 22 at itsouter end for receiving the end of the pipe 14. A pipe clamp assemblydesignated generally by the reference numeral 25, is releasably securedto the underside of the slipfitter housing 12 in a manner which will bemore fully described hereinafter. Electrical energy is supplied to theluminaire by means of a conductor 27 extending centrally through thepipe 14. A gasket 28 is disposed in the aperture 22 and circumjacent thepipe 14- to seal the housing 11 against the entrance of foreignmaterial.

The pipe clamp assembly 25 includes a yoke 30 which extends transverselyof the pipe 14 and is atlixed to the under side of the slipfitterhousing 12 by a pair of nuts 32 which are each received on the threadedend of a self tapping stud 33 received in recesses 35 which are formedin a pair of ribs 34 integral with the housing 12 and disposed in theopposite sides of the pipe 14. The yoke 30 has a central body portion 36whose under surface 37 is generally V-shaped for engaging the uppersurface of the pipe 14. In addition, the yoke 30 has a pair of laterallyprojecting arms 39, each of which, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, arecontoured to form an arcuate surface 41 for cooperatively engaging acorresponding arcuate surface 43 on the underside of the ribs 34. Thearcuate surfaces 41 and 43 on the yoke 34% and the ribs 34,respectively, have a common axis which is coincident with the transverserotation axis T of the sliptitter assembly 13 and extend in a directionparallel to the longitudinal adjustment axis L.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, each or" the arms 39 has an embossment 44-forrned therein which is provided with a slot 46 for receiving the stud33 therethrough. The slots 46 also extend in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis. It can thus be seen from FIG. 5 that relativerotational sliding movement between the arms 39 and the ribs 34 alongtheir contact surfaces 41 and 43 and about the axis T may be obtainedupon loosening of the nuts 32. The slots 46 and the nuts 32, however,preventlateral sliding movement.

A washer 47 is disposed between the head of each of the nuts 32 and theembossments 44 and each has a curved contact surface 48 for engaging acorrespondingly formed surface on the under side of the embossments 44so that the nuts 32 may tightly clamp the arms 39 against the ribs 34regardless of their relative angular positions.

A strap 50 engages the under-surface of the pipe 14 and has a pair oflaterally extending portions 56 each of which has an aperture 58 forreceiving a bolt 52 which secures it to the yoke 39. The bolts 52 eachthread-ably engage a nut 53 aiiixed by means of a collar 55 to each ofthe arms 39 between the embossments 44 and the body portion 56. It cantherefore be seen that by tightening the nuts 52 the pipe 14 is clamped3 between the surface 37 of the yoke 30 and the strap 59 wherein theluminaire is securely mounted on the pipe 14.

In order to accommodate various sized pipes, the strap 50 may beprovided with a contoured adapter 60 which is secured to its innersurface adjacent the pipe 14 by means of a rivet 61. Thus, removal ofthe adapter allows attachment to a pipe having a larger diameter.

When the luminaire is initially installed, the bolts 32 are tightenedWithin the tapped holes 33 to securely clamp the yoke 30 against thecurved ribs'34. The nuts 52 are, however, loosened so that the pipe 14may he slid between the V surface 37 on the under side of the yoke 30and the adapter 60 until the inner end of the pipe 14 engages a stopwire 62 affixed to the body portion 36 of the yoke 30 and extendingtransversely across the path of the pipe 14. I

When the pipe 14 engages the stop wire 62 the installe then rotates theluminaire about the longitudinal rotation axis L seen in FIGS. 2 and 4,until the luminaire is adjusted about this axis. The installer thentightens the bolts 52 until the pipe 14 is securely clamped between theV-shaped surface 37 and the adapter 60. This fixes the luminaire in itsadjusted position about its longitudinal axis L.

In order to adjust the luminaire about its transverse axis, the nuts 32are loosened so that the arms 39 of the yoke 30 will be movable relativeto the curved ribs 34. However, the bolts 52 remain tightened so thatthe longitudinal adjustment is not disturbed during the transverseadjustment. The installer then rotates the luminaire about itstransverse axis T by sliding the surfaces 41 of the arms 39 along thesurface 43 of the curved ribs 34. The slots 46 in the arms 39 permitsuch rotation without interference by the studs 33. Also, the engagementbetween the surfaces 41 and 43 prevents anyrelative rotation between theclamp assembly 25 and the luminaire housing 11 about the longiudinalaxis L so that this adjustment is not disturbed. After the luminaire hasbeen adjusted about its transverse taxis T, the nuts 32 are tightenedto. securely clamp. the arcuate surface 41 of the arms 39 against thesurface 43 of the curved ribs 34 thereby affixing the clamp assembly 25to the housing 11 in the adjusted position. v I

, It can thus be seen that by separtaely clamping the yoke 30 to thepipe 14 and, to the slipfitter housing 12,

independent adjustment about the longitudinal and trans verse axes maybe obtained to simplify leveling of the luminaire.

When the clamping assembly just described is to be screw 64, shown inFIG. 6, may be provided to assist in adjustment about the transverseaxis. The screw 64 is received in a threaded aperture 63 in theunderside of the housing 12 and to the rear of the hinge 19 so that itextends in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal axis andlies in a plane containing the longitudinal axis and which is normal tothe transverse axis. Normally, when the nuts 32 are loosened, the weightof the luminaire, concentrated at its center of gravity, tends to rotatethe assembly clockwise asviewed in FIG. 6. Such roation is prevented,however, by the leveling screw 64. Leveling is accomplished by rotatingthe screw 64 so that when the screw is moved away from the pipe 14 theluminaire rotates clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6 and when the screw 64 ismoved toward the pipe 14 the luminaire is rotated counterclockwise.After the luminaire has been leveled in this mannerthe nuts 32 aretightened to secure the luminaire in its adjusted position. I

While the invention is shown and described with respect to oneparticular kind of luminaire, it will be understood that it may beemployed with other types of luminaires as well. In addition, while onlythe preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described,it is not intended that the invention be limited 1. Slipfitter means foraffixing a luminaire to a support member, said slipfitter means havinglongitudinal and transverse rotation axes, saidlurninaire including ahousing portion having a first rotation means, said slipfitter meansincluding a'first clamping member having a second rotation meansslidably engaging said first r0 tation means, one of said rotation meansincluding arcuate surface means whose axis is coincident with saidtrans-verse axis, means for releasably securing said first clampingmember to said housing portion so that said first clamping member may beafiixed to said housing portion in a plurality of angular positionsaround said transverse axis, a second clamping member releasably securedto said first clamping member, said clamping members engaging theopposite sides of said support member whereby said luminaire may bereleasably affixed to said support member for relative rotationalmovement about said longitudinal axis.

2. Slipfitter means for aflixing a luminaire to an elongate supportmember, said slipfitter means having longitudinal and transverserotation axes, said luminaire having a housing portion, meansassociated. with said housing portion to provide a first arcuate surfacemeans whose axis is coincident with said transverse axis, saidslipfitter means including clamping means rel'easably engaging saidsupport member for rotation about said longitudinal axis, said clampingmeans having a second arcuate surface means slidably engaging the saidfirst surface means and being coaxial therewith, means for releasablysecuring said clamping means to said housing portion at said arcuatesurface means so that said clamping means may be affixed to said housingportion in a plurality of angular positions around said transverse axis.

3. Slipfitter means for aifixing a luminaire to an elongate supportmember, said slipfitter means having longitudinal and transverserotation axes, said luminaire including a housing portion, meansassociated with said housing portion to provide a pair of arcuatesurfaces whose axis is coincident with said transverse axis, saidslipfitter means including a first clamping member having a pair ofarcuate surfaces each slidably engaging one of the surfaces on saidhousing portion and being coaxial therewith, means for releasablysecuring said first clamping member to said housing portion at saidarcuate surfaces so that said first clamping member may be affixed tosaid housing portion in a plurality of angular positions around saidtransverse axis, a second clamping member releasably secured to saidfirst clamping member, said clamping members engaging the opposite sidesof said support member whereby said luminaire may be releasably afiixedto said support member for relative rotational movement about itslongitudinal axis.

4. Slipfitter means for afiixing a luminaire to an elongate supportmember, said slipfitter means having longitudinal and transverserotation axes, said' luminaire including a housing portion, meansrigidly associated With' said housing portion to provide arcuate surfacemeans whoseaxis is coincident with said transverse axis, said slipfittermeans including a first clamping member having arcuate surface meansslidably engaging the surface means associated with said housing portionand being coaxial therewith, elongate slot means formed in the surfacemeans on said first clamping member, stud means extending from saidhousing. portion and through said slot means, and means associated withsaid stud means for releasably securing said first clamping member tosaid housing portion so that said first clamping member may be affixedto said housing portion in a plurality of angular positions aroundsaidtransverse axis, a second clamping member releasably secured to saidfirst clamping member, said clamping members engaging the opposite sidesof said support member whereby said luminaire may be releasably atfixedto said support member for relative rotational movement about itslongitudinal axis.

5. Slipfitter means for afiixing a luminaire to a substantiallyhorizontally extending support member, said slipfitter means havinglongitudinal and transverse rotation axes, said luminaire including aninverted U-shaped slipfitter housing portion, a pair of spaced arcuatesurfaces formed on said housing portion and each having its axiscoincident with said transverse axis, said slipfitter means includingclamping means releasably en gaging said support member for rotationabout said longitudinal axis and having a pair of arcuate surfaces eachengaging one of the surfaces on said housing portion and being coaxialtherewith, an elongate slot formed in each of the surfaces on saidclamping means, stud means extending from said housing portion andthrough each of said slots, and means associated with said stud meansfor releasably securing said clamping means to said housing so that saidclamping means may be affixed to said housing portion in a plurality ofangular positions around said transverse axis.

6. Slipfitter means for affixing a luminaire to a substantiallyhorizontally extending support member, said slipfitter means havinglongitudinal and transverse rotation axes, said luminaire including ahousing portion, a pair of arcuate surfaces formed on said housingportion and each having an axis coincident with said transverse axis,said slipfitter means including a first clamping member having a pair ofarcuate surfaces each slidably engaging one of the surfaces on saidhousing portion and being coaxial therewith, an elongate slot formed ineach of the surfaces on said first clamping member, stud means extendingfrom said housing portion and through each of said slots, meansassociated with said stud means for releasably securing said firstclamping member to said housing portion at the arcuate surfaces formedthereon so that said first clamping member may be affixed to saidhousing portion in a plurality of angular positions around saidtransverse axis, a second clamping member releasably secured to saidfirst clamping member, one of said clamping members having a V-shapedsurface for engaging one side of said support member, the other clampingmember having a concave surface for engaging the other side of saidsupport member whereby said luminaire may be releasably afiixed to saidsupport member for relative rotational movement about its longitudinalaxis.

7. Slipfitter means for afiixing a luminaire to a substantiallyhorizontally extending support member, said slipfitter means havinglongitudinal and transverse rotation axes, said luminaire including aninverted U-shaped slipfitter housing portion, a pair of spaced rib meansformed on said housing portion and each having an arcuate surfaceextending in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, the axis ofsaid arcuate surface being coincident with said transverse axis, saidslipfitter means including a first clamping member extending in adirection parallel to said transverse axis and having a pair of arcuatesurfaces each engaging one of the surfaces on said rib means and beingcoaxial therewith, means for releasably securing said first clampingmember to said housing portion at said arcuate surfaces so that saidfirst clamping member may be afiixed to said housing portion in aplurality of angular positions around said transverse axis, a secondclamping member releasably secured to said first clamping member, one ofsaid clamping members having a V-shaped surface for engaging one side ofsaid support member, the other clamping member having a concave surfacefor engaging the other side of said support member whereby saidluminaire may be releasably afiixed to said support member for relativerotational movement about its longitudinal axis.

8. Slipiitter means for affixing a luminaire to a substantiallyhorizontally extending support member, said slipfitter means havinglongitudinal and transverse rotation axes, said luminaire including aninverted U-shaped slipfitter housing portion, a pair of spaced rib meansformed on said housing portion and each having an arcuate surface formedthereon, the axis of said arcuate surfaces being coincident with saidtransverse axis, a threaded stud means extending from each of said ribmeans centrally of said surface, said slipfitter means including a firstclamping member extending in a direction parallel to said transverseaxis, said first clamping member having spaced portions contoured toform a pair of arcuate surfaces on one side thereof and each of whichengages one of the surfaces on said rib means and is coaxial andoppositely formed relative thereto, a pair of elongate slots formed insaid first clamping member and one extending through each of itscontoured portions in a direction parallel to their respective surfacesand engaging said stud means, nut means threadably engaging one of saidstud means, washer means disposed between each of said nut means and theopposite sides of the contoured portions on said first clamping memberand engaging the peripheral edges of said slots, the opposite sides ofsaid contoured portions and the engaging surfaces on said washer meansbeing correspondingly curved arcs coaxial with said transverse axis sothat said first clamping member may be afiixed to said housing portionin a plurality of angular positions around said transverse axis wherebysaid luminaire may be adjusted about the transverse axis of saidslipfitter means, a second clamping member releasably secured to saidfirst clamping member, one of said clampside of said support member, theother clamping member having a concave surface for engaging the otherside of said support member whereby said luminaire may be releasablyatlixed to said support member for relative rotational movement aboutits longitudinal axis.

9. Slipfitter means for afiixing a luminaire to a support member, saidslipfitter means having longitudinal and transverse rotation axes, saidluminaire including a housing portion having a first rotation means,said slipfitter means including clamping means releasably engaging saidsupport member for rotation about said longitudinal axis, said clampingmeans having a second rotation means slidably engaging said firstrotation means for rotational movement relative thereto about saidtransverse axis, means for releasably securing said clamping means tosaid housing portion so that said clamping means may be afiixed to saidhousing portion in a plurality of angular positions around saidtransverse axis, and screw means threadably engaging said housingportion and having an end abutting said support member at a pointdisplaced from both said transverse axis and the center of gravity ofsaid luminaire, said screw means extending along a line substantiallynormal to said longitudinal axis, said screw means also lying in a planewhich contains said longitudinal axis and is normal to said transverseaxis.

10. Slipfitter means for ai'fixing a luminaire to a substantiallyhorizontally extending support member, said slipfitter means havinglongitudinal and transverse rotation axes, said transverse axis lying toone side of the center of gravity of said luminaire, said luminaireincluding an inverted U-shaped slipfitter housing portion, a pair ofspaced rib means formed on said housing portion and each having anarcuate surface formed thereon, the axis of said arcuate surfaces beingcoincident with said transverse axis, said slipfitter means including afirst clamping member extending in a direction parallel to saidtransverse axis, said first clamping member having spaced portionscontoured to form a pair of arcuate surfaces on one side thereof andeach of which engages one of the surfaces on said rib means and iscoaxial and oppositely formed relative thereto, clamping means forreleasably securing said first clamping member to said housing portionat said arcuate surfaces so that said first clamping mg members having aV-shaped surface for engaging one member may be affixed to said housingportion in a pluthe other side of said support member whereby saidluminaire may be releasably afiixed to said support member for relativerotational movement about its longitudinal axis, and screw meansthreadably engaging said housing and having an end abutting said supportmember at a point displaced from both said transverse axis and thecenter of gravity of said luminaire, said screw means extending along aline substantially normal to said longitudinal axis, said screw meansalso lying in a plane which contains, said longitudinal axis and isnormal to said transverse axis.

11. Attachment means for atfixing a luminaire to an elongate supportmember, said attachment means having longitudinal and transverserotation axes, said luminaire having a housing portion, first engagingmeans associated with said housing portion, said attachment meansincluding clamping means releasably engaging said support member forrotation about said longitudinal axis, said clamping means having asecond engaging means slidably engaging said first engaging means, atleast one of saidengaging means including an arcuate surface whose axisis coincident with said transverse axis and which is en: .gaged by theother of said engaging means, and means for releasably securing saidclampingmeans to said housing so that said clamping means may be afiixedto said housing in a plurality of angular positions around saidtransverse axis.

12. Attachment means for afiixing a luminaire to an elongate supportmember, said attachment means having longitudinal and transverserotational axes, said luminaire including a housing portion, a firstpair of engagement means associated with said housing portion, saidattachment means including a first clamping member having a second pairof engagement means each slidably engaging one of the first engagementmeans associated with said housing portion, at least one pair of said,first and second pairs of engagement means comprising arcuate surfaceswhose axes are coincident with said transverse axis, means forreleasably securing said first clamping member to said housing at saidarcuate surfaces so that said first clamping member may be afiixed tosaid housing in a plurality of angular positions around said transverseaxis, a second clamping member releasably secured to said first clampingmember, said clamping members releasably engaging said support memberfor relative rotational movement about said longitudinal axis.

13. Attachment means for affixing a luminaire to an elongate'supportmember, said attachment means having longitudinal andtransverse'rotation axis, said luminaire including a housing portion,means rigidly associated With said housing portion-to provide firstengagement means, said attachment means including a first clampingmember having second engagement means slidably engaging said firstengagement means, at least one of said engagement means comprising anarcuate surface whose axis is coincident with said transverse axis,elongate slot means formed in said first clamping member, releasablesecuring means extending through said slot means for releasably securingsaid clamping member to said housing so that said first clamping membermay be afiixed to said housing in a plurality of angular positionsaround said transverse axis, a second clampingmember releasably securedto said first clamping member, said clamping members releasably engagingsaid support member for relative rotational movement about saidlongitudinal axis.

14. Attachment means for afiixing a luminaire to a substantiallyhorizontally extending support member, said attachment means havinglongitudinal and transverse rotation axes, said luminaire including aninverted U-shaped housing portion, a first pair of spaced engagementmeans formed on said housing portion, said attachment means alsoincluding clamping means releasably engaging said support member forrotation about said longitudinal axis and having a second pair ofengagement means each engaging one of the engagement means on saidhousing portion, at least one pair of said first and second pairs ofengagement means comprising arcuate surfaces each hav- 7 ing its axiscoincident with said transverse axis, an elongate slot formed in one ofsaid housing portion and clamping means, means extending through saidslot means for releasably securing said clamping means to said housingso that said first clamping member may be affixed to said housing in aplurality of angular positions around said transverse axis.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,301,230 11/42Smith 248-16, 2,763,774 9/56 Beach et al. 287-14 X 2,974,920, 3/61Spaulding 248291 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

1. SLIPFITTER MEANS FOR AFFIXING A LIMINAIRE TO A SUPPORT MEMBER, SAIDSLIPFITTER MEANS HAVING LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE ROTATION AXES, SAIDLUMINAIRE INCLUDING A HOUSING PORTION HAVING A FIRST ROTATION MEANS,SAID SLIPFITTER MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST CLAMPING MEMBER HAVING A SECONDROTATION MEANS SLIDABLE ENGAGING SAID FIRST ROTATION MEANS, ONE OF SAIDROTATION MEANS INCLUDING ARCUATE SURFACE MEANS WHOSE AXIS IS COINCIDENTWITH SAID TRANSVERSE AXIS, MEANS FOR RELEASABLY SECURING SAID FIRSTCLAMPING MEMBER TO SAID HOUSING PORTION SO THAT SAID FIRST CLAMPINGMEMBER MAY BE AFFIXED TO SAID HOUSING PORTION IN A PLURALITY OF ANGULARPOSITIONS AROUND SAID TRANSVERSE AXIS, A SECOND CLAMPING MEMBERRELEASABLY SECURED TO SAID FIRST CLAMPING MEMBER, SAID CLAMPING MEMBERSENGAGING THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBER WHEREBY SAIDLUMINAIRE MAY BE RELEASABLY AFFIXED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER FOR RELATIVEROTATIONAL MOVEMENT ABOUT SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS.